Toy moving-picture and audio-synchronizing mechanism

ABSTRACT

A storytelling toy is provided having a series of pictures on a drum that rotates. A record telling the story is synchronized with the rotating picture drum. The toy is designed so that the drum and voice recording are interrupted at the end of each cycle and are resynchronized through actuation of a dual action switch each time the toy is restarted. Any undesired actuation of the switch by a child, therefore, cannot cause the unit to remain out of synchronization beyond one cycle of operation.

United States Patent [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [72]Inventor Patrick M. Tomaro Maplewood, NJ.

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ABSTRACT: A storytelling toy is provided having a series of [54]pictures on a drum that rotates. A record telling the story is 9 Claims,7 Drawing Figs.

synchronized with the rotating picture drum. The toy is g areinterrupted designed so that the drum and voice recordin at the end ofeach cycle and are resynchronized through actuation of a dual actionswitch each time the toy is restarted. Any undesired actuation of theswitch by a child, therefore, cannot cause the unit to remain out ofsynchronization beyond one cycle of operation.

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TOY MOVING-PICTURE AND AUDIO-SYNCHRONIZING MECHANISM- BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Various toys have employed means to provide an audiodescription of a movingpicture story. For example, springwound motorsand various mechanical linkages have been used in attempting to actuatea picture story; others use elec trical motors and otherinterconnections. Such toys, used by children, are subject tointerruption during a cycle of operation, and, therefore, are subject tobeing operated out of synchronization.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A toy moving-picture and sound-synchronizingmechanism is herein disclosed. A serial picture story is located on arotating drum which moves past a viewing window. The drum is rotated bya drive, including an electric motor, simultaneously with the resettingof a record.

The drive includes contacts and a dual action switch arranged relativeto one another so that when the dual action switch is contacted by achild one portion of the switch exerts pressure on the contacts, therebyclosing the contacts, allow ing the motor to be energized,simultaneously actuating the motor and the record. Another portion ofthe switch resets the record to coordinate the sound of the rotatingrecord with the rotation of the drum past the viewing window.

An interruptor is operatively associated with the rotating drum,interrupting the drive after one rotation of the drum.

The interruption caused by the interruptor allows the mechanism to beresynchronized should the dual action switch be contacted during a cycleof operation causing the record to be reset so that the sound is out ofsynchronization with the rotating picture story. After interruption,when the dual action switch is contacted to commence a new cycle ofoperation, the record is reset providing a sound descriptionsynchronized with the moving serial picture story.

The various features and advantages of the present invention may bebetter understood by referring to the following detailed description andaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DETAILED DESCRIPTION The mechanismherein disclosed synchronizes the movement of a serial picture story 41with the sound of a record 22 and assures resetting should the mechanismbe forced out of synchronization. A drive 4 including a motor'24,contacts 34, a dual action switch 28, and shafts and 12 controls themovement of the serial picture story 41 and the rotation of the record22.

FIG. 1 as shown is an exploded perspective view of the mechanism tofacilitate a general understanding of the relationship of the individualparts.and the makeup of the mechanism. The exploded view is divided intoessentially three parts. The first part includes a base portion 8wherein the completely assembled mechanism is mounted. A viewing window42 is attached to the base 8 to allow a child to view the moving serialpicture story 41.

The uppermost part of the exploded view includes a drum 16 having theserial picture story 41 mounted on its surface.

Attached to the base 7 of the drum 16 is an interruptor or lug 46extending downwardly therefrom. The drum 16 also has two grooves 20extending through its top 9 to allow engagement with pins 18 shown inthe center part of the exploded view.

The center part of the exploded view includes among other features amotor 24 and gear train 14. The motor 24 is mounted to housing 6 and hasa motor shaft 25 extending downwardly therefrom. A drive belt 26 isattached to the motor shaft 25 and the record 22; the record 22 beingrigidly mounted to a record shaft 12. Pins 18 extending upwardly fromthe top portion 5 of a drum shaft 10 provide engaging means for grooves20 in the top 9 of the drum 16. The drum shaft 10 has drive gears 13located thereon. When the motor 24 is energized the gears 13 helptransfer some of the torque from the rotating record shaft 12 to thedrum shaft rotation of the drum shaft 10.

The drum 16 is mounted on the drum shaft 10 with pins 18 engaginggrooves 20. The assembled apparatus is then mounted on the base 8 sothat as the drum shaft 10 rotates the drum 16 displays the serialpicture story through the picture window 42.

A dual action switch 28 is pivotally mounted to the base 8 throughpivoting supports 30. The dual action switch 28 includes a top portion29 capable of being depressed by a child. Spring-pressed contacts 34,including upper and lower generally parallel spaced resilient portions50 and 49, respectively, are mounted on the base 8 and arranged relativeto one portion 32 of the dual action switch. 28 to be contacted thereby.Depression of the top 29 of the dual action switch 28 will cause theswitch 28 to pivot about its supports 30 forcing the one portion 32 todepress the upper contact 50. The depressed upper contact 50 engages anextended portion 48 of the lower contact 49, thereby closing thecontacts 34, providing an energy path for the. current from thebatteries, not shown, to the motor 24. Simultaneously with thedepression of the dual action switch 28 and the closing of contacts 34,another portion 36 of the dual action switch 28 contacts the record 22.The record 22 is rigidly attached to record shaft 12. A record spring 38is wedged between the record 22 and housing 6. Further, the record shaft12 is loosely mounted to the housing 6 so as to permit a slight amountof vertical movement thereto. When the portion 36 contacts the record 22rigidly attached t0 the movable record shaft 12 the record 22 and shaft12 move vertically upward causing compression of the spring 38. Thecompressed spring 38 then forces the record 22 to move back to itsnormal position when the portion 36 of the switch 28 is released fromcontact with the record 22.

An arm shaft 56 is rigidly mounted to housing 6. Arm 40 is pivotallymounted to the arm shaft 56 to normally maintain contact with therotating record 22 through needle 43. An arm spring 54 is mounted to thearm shaft 5 6 having one end attached to arm 40 and the other endengaging housing 6. During audio operation, the arm 40 normally contactsdiaphragm 44 and the needle 43 engages record 22 whereby the compressiveforces exerted by the spring 38 and the diaphragm 44 hold the arm 40 andneedle 43 in contact with the record 22. As the record 22 rotates thearm 40 moves inward toward the center of the record 22 extending armspring 54 such that when the record 22 is engaged by the portion 36 ofswitch 28 it is moved vertically upward. Such action releases thecompressive contact between the record 22 and the needle 43 causing theextended spring 54 to pull the arm 40 back toward its starting position,near the edge 39 of the record 22, the relaxed position of the armspring 54.

As seen in FIG. 1, a drum shaft 10, is operatively associated with arecord shaft 12 through a gear train 14. The drum shaft it has a drum 16seated thereon through pins 18 which engage grooves 20 located in drum16. A spring loaded record 22 is rigidly attached to the record shaft 12and rotates 10 causing therewith.

Torque is applied to a motor shaft 25 by a motor 24 driven by batteries(not shown). A drive belt 26 connects the motor shaft and record shaft12 providing rotation to the record shaft 12 and a spur gear 11 rigidlyattached thereto. The rotation of record shaft 12 causes spur gear 11and gears 13 located on the drum shaft 10 to mesh thereby rotating thedrum shaft 10. As the drum 16 rotates the serial picture story 41 ismoved past the viewing window 42. Simultaneously with the rotation ofthe drum 16 the record 22 mounted on record shaft 12 rotates allowingsound to be transmitted to the diaphragm 44 through the arm 40coordinating the record sound with the rotating serial'picture story.

A dual action switch 28 is pivotally mounted on the base 8 and arrangedproximate to contacts 34. The dual action switch 28 has a top 29 whichcan be pressed by a child..When the top 29 is pressed, the dual actionswitch 28 pivots about its mounting 30 whereby one portion 32 of theswitch 28 engages contacts 34 causing them to close, providing a currentpath to the motor 24 from a battery power source (not shown). The otherportion 36 of the switch 28 contacts the spring-loaded record 22 movingthe record 22 and shaft l2,upward compressing the spring 38 enabling therecord arm to assume a position near the edge 39 of the record 22 incontact. with the diaphragm 44. When the top 29 of the switch 28 isreleased the record spring 38 returns to its relaxed state pushing therecord 22 into contact with needle 43 thereby wedging the needle betweenthe record 22 and diaphragm 44.

The positioning of the arm 40 is controlled by arm spring 54 mounted onarm shaft 56 and attached to arm 40 and housing 6. As the record 22 isrotated the arm 40 and needle 43 advance inward along the record groovetoward the center of the record 22 held in contact with the record 22 bythe opposing forces of diaphragm 44 and the spring 38. Normally, the arm40 reaches the center position of the record 22 as the drum l6 completesone revolution.

Once a cycle of operation of the mechanism has commenced a child at playmay again contact the top 29 of the dual actuation switch 28. Suchcontact will cause resetting of the record 22 resulting in sound whichis out of synchronization with the moving serial picture story 41. Toaid in providing resynchronization, the drum 16 has an interruptor orlug 46 attached to its base 7. The lug 46 rotates with the drum 16 andextends downwardly therefrom. When the lug 46 and i drum 16 havecompleted one revolution the lug 46 will engage an upwardly extendingportion 48 of the lower contact 49, moving it away from engagement withthe upper contact causing the contacts 34 to open. Opening of thecontacts 34 stops the flow of current to the motor 24 ceasing theoperation of the mechanism.

Although the record sound may be temporarily out of synchronization withthe moving serial picture story 41 during any one revolution, contact onthe top 29 of the switch 28 after the interruptor 46 has opened thecontacts 34 will cause resetting of the record 22 and closing of thecontacts 34 so that proper synchronization between the moving serialpicture story 41 and the record sound will be achieved.

If the mechanism is allowed to operate undisturbed through one fullcycle, the interruptor 46 located on the base 7 of the drum 16 willengage the extended portion 48 of lower contact 49 moving it away fromthe upper contact 50 ceasing the flow of current to the motor 24,thereby stopping rotation of the drum and record.

FIGS. 2-5 provide a better understanding of the relationship between thedual action switch 28 and interruptor or lug 46 when engaging thecontacts 34.

Initially, as shown in FIG. 2, the interruptor 46 is in contact with theupwardly extending portion 48 of lower contact 49 holding the contacts34 open, thus preventing a flow of current to the motor 24. Thisposition is designated as the off position.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the dual action switch 28 is pressed theportion 32 of the switch 28 forces the upper contact 50 to engage theupwardly extending portion 48 of the lower contact 49. Such actioncloses the contacts 34, completing a current path to the motor 24,thereby causing rotation of shafts 10 and 12 and, therefore, rotation ofthe drum l6 and record 22. This position is designated as the startposition.

After the switch 28 is contacted completing a current path to the motor24, not shown in FIG. 3, the switch 28 can be released once theinterruptor 46 has moved slightly away from the upwardly extendingposition 48 of the lower contact 49. The lower contact 49 is arrangedrelative to the upper contact 50 to normally maintain contact therewith.This is achieved by providing a lower contact 49 having an upwardlyextending portion 48 with sufficient springlike resiliency to normallymaintain contact with the upper contact 50, as shown in FIG. 4. This isthe normal operating position.

After the drum 16 has undergone one complete revolution, the interruptor46 will engage the upwardly extending portion 48 of the lower contact 49forcing the upwardly extending portion 48 of the lower contact 49 todisengage the upper contact 50 thereby opening the contacts 34,interrupting the flow of energy to the motor 24 causing shafts l0 and 12and, therefore, the drum 16 and record 22 to cease rotation, see FIG. 5.This is the stop position. It should be apparent that FIG. 5 is includedfor completeness of description, the relative positions of the elementsshown being physically the same as that of the off position described inFIG. 2.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the relationship between the dual action switch28 and the spring-loaded record 22. FIG. 6 shows the record 22 duringnormal audio operation when the portion 36 of the dual action switch 28is not in contact with the spring loaded record 22. During normal audiooperation the arm 40 is in contact with the diaphragm 44 and the needle43 engages record 22 supplying an audio description to the rotatingpicture 41.

When the top 29 of the dual action switch 28 is pressed the record 22 iseffectively reset. Such pressure pivots the switch 28 about its supports30 causing one portion 36 thereof to engage the record 22 moving itupward, allowing the record arm 40 to be repositioned near the edge 39of the record 22. As shown in FIG. 7, the portion 36 of the switch 28engages the record 22 moving the record 22 and record shaft 12 upward,compressing the spring 38. This upward movement of the record 22releases the needle 43 from engagement with the record groove allowingthe arm 40 to spring back near the edge 39 of the record 22 under theforce exerted by the extended arm spring 54, as previously described.When the pressure on the top 29 of the dual actuation switch 28 isrelieved, the spring 38 extends to a relaxed position forcing the record22 to assume its normal operating position in contact with the needle asshown in FIG. 6.

It should be understood that various modifications can be made in thearrangement, form and construction of the invention herein disclosedwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A toy moving-picture and audio-synchronizing mechanism including apicture-carrying drum mounted on a drum shaft and being rotatabletherewith, a lug attached to the base of said drum and rotatabletherewith, a rotatable record shaft operatively associated with saiddrum shaft, a spring loaded record mounted on said record shaft andadapted to play a sound as said record shaft is rotated, a motorproviding rotation to said drum shaft and said record shaft, a batterypower supply electrically connected to said motor, resilient contactsinterposed between said motor and said power supply arranged tointerrupt the flow of energy to said motor when contacted by said lug,said resilient contacts including an upper and lower portion, said lowerportion including an upwardly extending portion having a springlikeresiliency to normally maintain contact with said upper portion so thatsaid resilient contacts are closed and the motor is energized, saidupwardly extending portion movable away from said upper contact, whenengaged by said lug, opening said contacts, a dual action switchpivotally arranged relative to said record and said drum such that whensaid contacts are opened a child may press said switch whereby oneportion of said switch engages the record thereby resetting said recordenabling it to commence its audio operation while another portion of theswitch simultaneously forces the upper portion of said contacts intoengagement with said upwardly extending portion of said lower portionclosing said contacts providing energy to said motor thereby causingrotation of said shafts.

2. A toy moving picture and audio-synchronizing mechanism including arotatable drum having a serial picture story located thereon, a.rotatable record operatively associated with the rotatable drumproviding sound synchronized to the rotation of the serial picturestory, drive means for continuously rotating said drum and said recordsimultaneously such that the continuous rotation of the serial picturestory on the drum is synchronized with the continuous sound of saidrecord, an interruptor operatively associated with said drum toautomatically interrupt said drive means when said drum completes onerotation and the serial picture story begins to repeat, thereby stoppingthe rotation of said drum and said record whereby reactuation of saiddrive means rotates said drum and said record simultaneously andcontinuously so that said record sound is synchronized with thecontinuous rotation of the serial picture story on said drum.

3. A toy moving-picture and audio-synchronizing mechanism as set forthin claim 2 in which said drive means includes a dual action switcharranged relative to said record and drum for resetting said record andactuating said drive means such that when said dual action 'switch iscontacted one portion of the switch engages and resets the record whilethe other portion of the switch aids in commencing the rotation of saiddrum whereby the continuous rotation of the serial picture story issynchronized with the continuous sound of said record.

4. A toy moving-picture and audio-synchronizing mechanism as set forthin claim 2 wherein said drive means includes a drum shaft adapted torotate said drum, a rotatable record shaft having a record mountedthereon operatively associated with said drum shaft, and a motor adaptedto rotate said shafts when energized.

5. A toy moving-picture and audio-synchronizing mechanism as set forthin claim 2 wherein said interruptor is a lug attached to said lugrotating with said drum and arranged to automatically interrupt saiddrive: means when said drum has rotated through one complete revolution.

6. A toy moving-picture and audio-synchronizing mechanism as set forthin claim 2 wherein said drive means includes a motor, a battery powersupply electrically connected to said motor, resilient normally closedcontacts interposed between said motor and said power supply, saidnormallyclosed contacts arranged to be opened interrupting the flow ofenergy to said motor when engaged by said interruptor, a dual actionswitch arranged relative to said contacts for engagement therewith toclose said contacts after they have been opened by said interruptor.

7. A toy moving-picture and audio-synchronizing mechanism as set forthin claim 2 in which said drive means includes resilient contacts havingan upper and lower portion, said lower contact portion including anupwardly extending springlike portion normally in contact with saidupper contact portion so that said upper and lower contact portions arenor mally closed by their interaction but capable of being opened whenengaged by said interruptor.

8. in a toy adapted to provide simultaneous synchronized multipleactions, a motor, a dual action switch providing simultaneous electricaland mechanical control of said multiple actions, spring-pressedelectrical contacts connected to said motor and operatively associatedwith one portion of said dual action switch, a first moving portion ofsaid toy operated by said motor and having an interrupt-or associatedtherewith, said interruptor positioned to engage said contacts providingcontrol of said motor, a second moving portion of said toy for conjointaction with the movement of said first portion and capable of beingreset by the mechanical control portion of said dual action switch,whereby said dual action switch and said interruptor can act in concertto control the movement of said first and second portion of said toy.

9. In a toy adapted to provide simultaneous synchronized multipleactions as claimed in claim 8, said first moving portion of said toyincluding a picture story, said second moving portion including a recordproviding sound to the moving picture.

1. A toy moving-picture and audio-synchronizing mechanism including apicture-carrying drum mounted on a drum shaft and being rotatabletherewith, a lug attached to tHe base of said drum and rotatabletherewith, a rotatable record shaft operatively associated with saiddrum shaft, a spring loaded record mounted on said record shaft andadapted to play a sound as said record shaft is rotated, a motorproviding rotation to said drum shaft and said record shaft, a batterypower supply electrically connected to said motor, resilient contactsinterposed between said motor and said power supply arranged tointerrupt the flow of energy to said motor when contacted by said lug,said resilient contacts including an upper and lower portion, said lowerportion including an upwardly extending portion having a springlikeresiliency to normally maintain contact with said upper portion so thatsaid resilient contacts are closed and the motor is energized, saidupwardly extending portion movable away from said upper contact, whenengaged by said lug, opening said contacts, a dual action switchpivotally arranged relative to said record and said drum such that whensaid contacts are opened a child may press said switch whereby oneportion of said switch engages the record thereby resetting said recordenabling it to commence its audio operation while another portion of theswitch simultaneously forces the upper portion of said contacts intoengagement with said upwardly extending portion of said lower portionclosing said contacts providing energy to said motor thereby causingrotation of said shafts.
 2. A toy moving-picture and audio-synchronizingmechanism including a rotatable drum having a serial picture storylocated thereon, a rotatable record operatively associated with therotatable drum providing sound synchronized to the rotation of theserial picture story, drive means for continuously rotating said drumand said record simultaneously such that the continuous rotation of theserial picture story on the drum is synchronized with the continuoussound of said record, an interruptor operatively associated with saiddrum to automatically interrupt said drive means when said drumcompletes one rotation and the serial picture story begins to repeat,thereby stopping the rotation of said drum and said record wherebyreactuation of said drive means rotates said drum and said recordsimultaneously and continuously so that said record sound issynchronized with the continuous rotation of the serial picture story onsaid drum.
 3. A toy moving-picture and audio-synchronizing mechanism asset forth in claim 2 in which said drive means includes a dual actionswitch arranged relative to said record and drum for resetting saidrecord and actuating said drive means such that when said dual actionswitch is contacted one portion of the switch engages and resets therecord while the other portion of the switch aids in commencing therotation of said drum whereby the continuous rotation of the serialpicture story is synchronized with the continuous sound of said record.4. A toy moving-picture and audio-synchronizing mechanism as set forthin claim 2 wherein said drive means includes a drum shaft adapted torotate said drum, a rotatable record shaft having a record mountedthereon operatively associated with said drum shaft, and a motor adaptedto rotate said shafts when energized.
 5. A toy moving-picture andaudio-synchronizing mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidinterruptor is a lug attached to said lug rotating with said drum andarranged to automatically interrupt said drive means when said drum hasrotated through one complete revolution.
 6. A toy moving-picture andaudio-synchronizing mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said drivemeans includes a motor, a battery power supply electrically connected tosaid motor, resilient normally closed contacts interposed between saidmotor and said power supply, said normally closed contacts arranged tobe opened interrupting the flow of energy to said motor when engaged bysaid interruptor, a dual action switch arranged relative to saidcontacts for engagement therewith to close said coNtacts after they havebeen opened by said interruptor.
 7. A toy moving-picture andaudio-synchronizing mechanism as set forth in claim 2 in which saiddrive means includes resilient contacts having an upper and lowerportion, said lower contact portion including an upwardly extendingspringlike portion normally in contact with said upper contact portionso that said upper and lower contact portions are normally closed bytheir interaction but capable of being opened when engaged by saidinterruptor.
 8. In a toy adapted to provide simultaneous synchronizedmultiple actions, a motor, a dual action switch providing simultaneouselectrical and mechanical control of said multiple actions,spring-pressed electrical contacts connected to said motor andoperatively associated with one portion of said dual action switch, afirst moving portion of said toy operated by said motor and having aninterruptor associated therewith, said interruptor positioned to engagesaid contacts providing control of said motor, a second moving portionof said toy for conjoint action with the movement of said first portionand capable of being reset by the mechanical control portion of saiddual action switch, whereby said dual action switch and said interruptorcan act in concert to control the movement of said first and secondportion of said toy.
 9. In a toy adapted to provide simultaneoussynchronized multiple actions as claimed in claim 8, said first movingportion of said toy including a picture story, said second movingportion including a record providing sound to the moving picture.